Listen Up: When a character speaks

So, I started this new story and it’s coming along. It's flowing. My fingers are flying across the keys. All of a sudden the heroine starts talking to me about taking the story in a new direction. Okay, so she starts talking and I’m typing. The story is still flowing. Then whoa, hold up. She just said the “S.E.X.” word. And to be honest I’m just not ready to go there with her and the hero.

I mean I wanted them to really get to know each other first before doing the deed. Maybe around chapter 23 or after the wedding, but no, she wants it and she wants it now. I gotta tell ya, it totally killed the flow.

Rather than argue the point, I hit the save key, closed the program and put my computer to sleep for the night. Now I’m in my jammies, I’ve said my prayers and now it’s off to dream land. Or so I thought. You guessed it. She’s there in my head. Heck, I swear I can see her sitting on the foot of my bed talking a mile a minute.

It’s obvious my heroine is not going to let me get any sleep until we have it out. And just in case you were wondering, here’s how it went down.

Me: I just don’t think you should sleep with a guy you’ve only known for two days.

Heroine: Why not? If you would go back and write it, you would know that we’ve actually spent the last two and a half days getting to know each other.

Me: Yes, I’m aware of that, but still…

Heroine: Oh, stop being such a prude already. He and I are not just jumping into bed with each other. We’ve talked, laughed, danced, and shared with each other. He’s going back to his family and responsibilities. I just want to spend one night with him, make a memory. Hey, I’m not looking for happily ever after.

Me: Ah, I don’t know, you are going to see each other again, can’t you wait until then.

Heroine: Look, I don’t know what's going to happen next, I only know what I’m feeling right now and I want to be with him. So, quit belly aching and write what I’m telling you.

Long story short I’m up at 3am writing the scene just as the heroine is telling it to me.

Bottom line: when a character speaks, listen up or you’ll never get any sleep.

I tell ya, this chick is a trip.

Heroine: I heard that.

A.M. Wells

Book Review: The Critic by Dyanne Davis

First let me start by saying how much I have enjoyed reading Mrs. Davis books though out the years. One thing you can always count on with a Dyanne Davis novel, it’s never the same as the one before. Mrs. Davis consistently delivers stories that are compelling, insightful, and bring to life real character with real issues. Warts and all, no two stories are alike. Which is refreshing, in an age of cookie cutter, by the book romance novels.

Second, I didn’t just sit down and devour this book in one sitting. No, I took the time to read every word. Some times out loud. Now you may ask yourself, what kind nut case takes three month to read a 229 page book? Well I did and I enjoyed every word, phrase and paragraph. Down to the last punctuation mark.

Now on to the review:

Toreas Rose is an aspiring writer who has fallen in lust with local talk show host and book critic, Jared Stone. And who wouldn’t, Jared Stone is one fine brother. Every day she tunes in to his show just to watch him on her small screen. The one sided relationship is blissful, that is until one day Toreas turns the sound up and gets an earful of Jared bashing romance writers and the books they write.

Outraged Toreas goes with a group of her book club member to appear on Jared’s show. But instead of giving him a piece of her mind, she punches him in the gut with an unexpected result.

Turns out Jared blames romance writers for ruining his life. So as a way of getting revenge or venting his anger, he begins taking potshots at romance writers on his show. But after his encounter with Toreas Rose, Jared finds he can’t stop thinking about her and can’t figure for the life him why he’s so drawn to her, a romance writer of all things. Toreas appearance on his show not only fuels his ratings, but his desire for her as well.

Toreas has had to live with critics all her life, seen and unseen. It’s the reason she moved three states away from her parents. She’s given herself to two years to prove herself as a writer with the finical backing and blessing of her father. But her time is nearing an end and Toreas is no closer to fulfilling her dream. That is until Jared places himself squarely in her life and brings out not only her writing muse, but Jared also brings out her awareness of herself as a woman. Even their constant arguing is a form of foreplay.

I found myself laughing out loud at the subtle humor in this book and the way it took on the notion of how true romance should be written.

If you’re looking for a book filled with passion, lust, skin, sin, and heaving bosoms. Keep looking.

If you want to read a story about two real people who take you along on their journey of discovering true love. With romance, lots of laughs, some sighs, and a few tears thrown in. Then read this book and savor each page. I promise you it’s worth the trip.

Well done, Mrs. Davis, very well done indeed.

A.M. Wells